Freemasonry: Shattering The Myth

Members meet to celebrate their beliefs and to administer charitable events, basically just like any other modern social association like the Optimist or Rotary Clubs. They also take the opportunity to bestow ceremonial degrees on each other.

Possession of a Masonic Bible is required for membership. Contrary to popular belief, the word "Jesus" has not been erased from the Good Book. It is just like a regular Bible, usually the King James version, but there are a few extra pages at the beginning with enough space to record the Mason's history within the organization and where relevant verses are outlined.

who they are

Freemasonry covers a number of different associations. For men, there are the Blue Lodges, the Scottish and York Rites, the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the Grotto. Because women are not allowed membership within Freemasonry, they have their own organization: the Order of the Eastern Star.

Young women have the Order of the Rainbow for Girls and Daughters of Job, while young men have the Order of DeMolay. All these groups are philanthropic in nature. The Shriners, known for their circus and children's hospitals, are an affiliated association.

There are nearly three million Masons in the United States and approximately five million in the entire world. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Gerald Ford, Thurgood Marshall, and Winston Churchill were all Masons.

tainted reputation

The bad rap Freemasonry received, which has fueled conspiracy theories for years, goes back to 1827. Captain William Morgan had tried to join the ranks of the order but a decision was made not to let him. Extremely bitter, he wrote Freemasonry Exposed , an anti-Masonic treatise. Ensuing false stories in the press told that Morgan had been abducted and assassinated by Masons because the man had uncovered their underground way of life and customs. He had in fact escaped from jail unscathed, where he was being held for a bad debt.

Modern Christian evangelists continue to fuel the hate. They blame Masons for most of the evils of the world like political assassinations and endorsement of sexual depravity. This rivalry between Freemasons and organized religions began in the 18th century when Masons spoke against the Catholic church's overwhelming power.

Dictatorial regimes have always outlawed Freemasonry. After the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Communists banned the order within their borders. Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party did the same two decades later when they took power. Masons were regarded as a possible threat, that they could be in a position to overthrow the government if such was their wish.

Masons strive to convince anyone who wants to listen that they're not a secret society and that upholding extraordinary morals doesn't mean there's a conspiracy brewing.

Everyone loves a good conspiracy. If you look hard enough, you'll see conspiracies everywhere. Couldn't there be a cover-up involving free prizes in cereal boxes? Is the government elaborating a hidden plot to invade another galaxy? The truth is that these speculations are a way for people to rationalize what they don't understand.

This is precisely the reason why so many conspiracy theories involve Freemasonry; not much was understood about Freemasonry so it was put in the same boat. Since there's a cloud of mystery surrounding this organization, our suspicions motivate us to search for it.

Ever since the beginning, there's been interest in Freemasonry, only not always for the right reasons. In 1739, Pope Clement denounced the association and the Vatican still prohibits its followers to join Masonic orders today.

The aura of secrecy regarding Freemasonry has inspired many. There have been popular films like From Hell that have explored the subject as well as hundreds of books, fiction and nonfiction. Until people get a better understanding of the order, Freemasonry will remain shrouded in mystery, fear and paranoia.

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